YOUNG WRITERS COMPETITION
Our mystery short story writing competition is central to the Marple Mysteries Festival, making the connection between this latest community investment and the importance of literacy to advance and enrich young lives.
Competition Details
The Challenge: Entrants are asked to write a mystery story with a maximum word count for their age group. Every entry must start with the opening line provided for that age category. ALTERNATIVELY entrants may paint or draw an illustration to accompany one of the shortlisted or winning short stories.
Eligibility: All entrants must reside in Marple or attend a Marple school. Speak to your class or English/Art teacher for submission guidelines and competition rules!
Deadline: All short story entries must be completed and handed in to the school coordinator by December 19, 2026. Submission guidelines for illustration entries will be posted here, shortly.
Prizes: Shortlisted and winning entries in each category will have their stories/illustrations published in a book, the Marple Mysteries Festival Anthology. There will also be other prizes.
Categories for Mystery Short Story Entrants
Ages 5-6 (Years 1 & 2)
up to 250 words, starting with:
“The teddy bear woke up in the library, but couldn’t remember how he got there…”
Ages 7-11 (Years 3 – 6)
up to 1,000 words, starting with:
“The locked attic door suddenly swung open, revealing…”
Ages 12-18 (Years 7 -13)
up to 2,000 words, starting with:
“A handwritten note slipped out of the book with the words…”